No one can fault the D-50 — erm, “D-05” — for authenticity. Roland’s latest Boutique Series basically is a shrunk-down version of the original.

Native Instruments just revised their Maschine and Komplete Kontrol hardware. Here are some early impressions of what’s new, in advance of our review.

Sometimes big sounds come in small packages. And so to get MeeBlips to everyone, we have a new, everyday low price of US$119.95.

It’s an expansion kit for an obscure boutique drum machine – and maybe the most niche product from Bastl Instruments yet. But it could be more than that.

Gear Acquisition Syndrome has come full force to Russia. Both live stages and the gear Expo at Synthposium in Moscow last week made that clear.

Moscow’s Synthposium was more than a runaway, hyper-nerdy festival. It also brought together Russia’s fledgling boutique music gear maker scene.

Call it acid Elektron. Elektron USA CEO Daniel Troberg is active as a live player much as he is in the tech business. He shares his most recent live set with us.

The folks at Moog are nothing if not persistently obsessive. They’ve upgraded the original Sub 37 for improved sound and playability. Meet the Subsequent 37.

Bored with vintage-style synth hardware? How about an instrument that does the sort of audio mangling – as standalone hardware, not an iPad app?

The latest app from KORG brings the 1981 vintage synth to iOS – and there’s reason this particular remake is interesting in 2017.